Actually the new oil baffle is a very good upgrade. It is a much better design then the one it replaced. It is well worth the couple bucks to get one.
It's not worth it to buy a new oil pan unless your old one is un-useable. There are no decernable benefits to running the new one. The new style oil pan was put on late model 2001/early 2002 engines. ("Supposedly" before the "fix" to the heads)
According to a reliable source the new oil pan just "looks" like it holds less oil. It has a slightly shallower sump portion, but is offset by having larger kickouts. The thinking behind this is the oil has a better chance of staying in and returning to a wider sump (part where the pickup sits) then a deeper, but narrower one.
Also that means you will likely need a new oil pickup for the new oil pan design. It is highly recommended anyway.
All the part numbers have been posted in the past. (same post too) You can find them using the SEARCH feature. (Just like everything else)
As for the 2.5L getting the extra drain holes like the 3L. We are talking model year 2002 or 2003 engines that were suppose to be the first new head design.
Maybe "someone" knows exactly the date of change over???
